West Virginia State University acquires former Rehabilitation Center property

The West Virginia Department of Administration officially
transferred the former West Virginia Rehabilitation Center in Institute to West
Virginia State University June 17.

The nearly 20 acres of property adjacent to WVSU contains 15
buildings and more than 430,000 square feet of space. The property has been
unused since March 2011.

"Academic growth, especially in the areas of science,
nursing and technology is driving the need for expansion of the campus of West
Virginia State," WVSU President Brian O. Hemphill said in a news release. "We
truly appreciate Gov. (Earl Ray) Tomblin's support of the progress we
anticipate for West Virginia State and our need to expand our physical
footprint in Institute.

"The former West Virginia Rehabilitation Center is ideal to
accommodate the university's growth, which will in turn aid the overall
economic growth of the state and region."

The center previously provided on-site vocational and
rehabilitation services to people with disabilities. In 2007, client services
were stopped at the site, but the Division of Rehabilitation Services continued
to use the center as the central hub for the agency until 2011.

The comprehensive plan for the property is still being
developed, but the initial efforts will focus on renovating and opening the
former administration building at the complex, which has been known as the F.
Ray Power building.

That building contains more than 31,000 square feet of
offices and conference rooms. The property contains several other buildings
that formerly housed offices, a cafeteria and residential space. Those
buildings will stay closed until a comprehensive evaluation of their potential
uses can be done.

"The potential academic and economic development
opportunities of repurposing the former Rehabilitation Center property are
significant," Hemphill said. "WVSU is committed to developing a long-term
strategy to support this expansion."